Subaru Legacy GTB

guerito

So I've decided to get rid of the old A3 at last. The main factors choosing the new car are:

1. Performance. The 1.6 A3 engine was nippy enough, but for a good while now I've had a hankering for something that GOES. This hankering will not go away. However, I don't want to sacrifice performance and handling for the sake of practicality (see below), so I'm looking at an estate.

2: Practicality. I need something that will comfortably take 2 dogs and/or bikes. I don't want to get a trailer or external mount for the bikes, for reasons of cost and avoiding damage to the exterior.

3: Reliability. I've done German (albeit entry level), so I want to try a Japanese make. I've spoken to my mechanic and he swears by the Legacy. Even the twin turbo versions are supposed to be bulletproof, as long as they haven't been thrashed.

Putting all these together with my preferred budget of 6K or under, and a turn-of-the-century Legacy GTB, on paper, looks perfect. I would go for a newer model, like Lex Luthor did, but I don't have the cash just yet. I'm currently doing a lot of mileage - approx. 450 miles/week, but it looks like I'll be changing jobs to something in Dublin city, so I'll be using public transport during the week from now on. A thirsty engine therefore won't be an issue. It seems to have a hell of a lot of performance for the money. The AWD is attractive after the A3, which wasn't bad grip-wise, but lost a fair bit in the wet. I won't be driving the nuts out of whatever car I go for, but I may well be driving it /enthusiastically/, at least while I get used to it .

I'm hopefully going to take one for a test drive this week. Possibly this one http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Legacy/B4-Twin-/200934194986924/advert?channel=CARS

I've had a look on uklegacy.com and isdc.ie, and the general consensus seems to be go for it. Parts and servicing seem to be cheap, and I will be doing low mileage.

So has anyone owned one of these? Are there any issues with the car which would put you off one, or be cause for concern?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Guerito

Lex Luthor

go for it guerito....I'm seriously looking at one of these next year as a track day car...as soon as an affordable one comes along

JCDUB

Thanks Guerito,

I was gonna open a thread to ask about petrol consumption on the Legacy turbo and twin turbo, pref in automatic.
Any feedback welcome.
Thanks in advance.

Muckie

Nice car alrite, plenty of power and a good price.

The www.isdc.ie is great for any info concerning Subaru.

Go for it, drive some thing different!

245

Have a look at www.uklegacy.com - there's a wealth of info there on the faster Legacys.

The only problem that I've heard about with Japanese imported Subarus like that one that you linked to is that they can self-destruct mechanically if not remapped to cope with our poorer quality petrol. Fuel consumption wouldn't be in the economy car area either

guerito

245 wrote: »

The only problem that I've heard about with Japanese imported Subarus like that one that you linked to is that they can self-destruct mechanically if not remapped to cope with our poorer quality petrol. Fuel consumption wouldn't be in the economy car area either

The octane issue is something I'd have to check out, all right. I had seen that mentioned a few times on uklegacy.com. Obviously I wouldn't touch one unless I had seen a service history and had it independently checked out. The likely import route from Japan through the UK gives a lot of scope for tampering or driving the b*llocks out of one of these. But if a good one comes along, especially one that's been in Ireland for a few yers (thus eliminating the octane problem)....

As mentioned, fuel economy isn't a huge issue, as it would mainly be used at the weekends. One other possible worry would be security. High performance, (kinda) unassuming looks could be a target.

I'm going to ring around to arrange a test drive over the next couple of days. I'll update after I've had a go in one :pac: